Manhattan's Diamond King

[apocalypsejack]

Jack had been wandering the streets on a night watch with Diamond. The people of the Party and their Ministry of Truth goons were getting bold. It made Jack antsy and he wasn’t sleeping. It was weird sometimes how he went days and weeks here and there without sleeping. No one knew how he could do it.

The scenery had changed oddly when he turned a corner, Diamond at his side whining. He reached down and patted the white mutt that went with him everywhere. Straightening, Halloween Jack shifted the automatic weapon slung over one shoulder that stood in stark contrast to his feminine clothing including spike heeled black boots and gaudy diamond bracelets and earrings. He came very close to shooting the hologram when it startled him by appearing on his blind side. He’d seen something like this before but couldn’t remember where. He listened to it all the while wondering why the guy was in the weird get up. It looked enough like a military uniform to make him suspicious of the Nexus.

Walking on he kept looking up at the building corners, the trees, anywhere something could be hung. Though the gun was back in a resting position, he remained jumpy and jittery.. one part drugs and one part nerves. Diamond was watching the people coming out into the plaza. Normal morning traffic of shops opening.

Jack narrowed his eye at the people and eventually asks. “There aren’t any cameras or drones here?”

He is confused as hell about what is going on. The dog sat at his feet, looking up expectantly at her one eyes master. In the back of his mind there is a lingering worry that this is some Party trap or that he had been caught again and this was something in his own mind.

Comments

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Hiroki pulls away instantly, and opens his mouth to say something harsh, but then closes it, apparently thinking better of it.

Why does this man have to seem so similar to Ziggy? Somehow, he does not have that problem with the devil.

(Similar, because he looks similar. Duh.)

But that's just not it.

"I'm monogamous," Hiroki says, after an awkward tick or two of time. Or maybe just a few seconds. He speaks a bit harshly, but not as much as he would, perhaps, in another situation just like this. Quiznak. What was it, even??

"Besides, if you even try to seduce me, my aforementioned Princess shall be jealous. And then you should be afraid. Very afraid."

More relaxed now, he adds,

"Yes. My Princess is tragically sexy. That's just it. Wow. You could be a poet, whoever you are."

[gwiazdezrzuca]

"Please do not worry, I can pay for both of us."

She wants to help.

[apocalypsejack]

Jack's hand falls away immediately when he sees the look. He didn't mean to offend or put this man on edge.

Jack opens his mouth to say he, given earlier pronouns but now princess? It takes him a second and a smile to come around. "They are lucky. There aren't many who appreciate people like us."

And by us, He meant people who weren't exactly male or female. His own world dealt with those kinds of people harshly and Jack found himself vaguely hoping that this other had an easier time.

Jack shrugs and looks away. "I don't know, maybe. I don't remember if I was or not."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"Ziggy says he's lucky to have me. He... she..."

Well, depending... and Hiroki feels he should ask Ziggy what to call him, someday.

"Ziggy's in the process of convincing me I'm a good partner, you could say. And-- nevermind."

He squints at the guy a little, wondering if he's going crazy, or if he's really much more similar to Ziggy than Lucifer.

"Truth is, anybody would appreciate a miracle. There's nothing to praise me for."

"You don't remember? Huh. Amnesia?"

[apocalypsejack]

"You worry about whether they're happy. That's got to count for something." Jack's serious too. Caring whether you were good was what made you good to others anyway.

"No." It's all Jack says at first whike the shakes ripple through the right side of his body, especially his fingers. A few moments pass before he adds. "Where I'm from people who don't fit what the Party thinks the people should be like they vaporize you... erase your memories and personality to give you one they like better. I escaped when they weren't done and I don't remember much of anything before that. I still have skills but I don't know when or how .. even why I learned them. I just don't know who I originally was anymore."

[somekindofspaceuncle]

Don't know when or how...

Memories.

Way back when, Keith had asked Shiro, the real Shiro, what had happened to him, in the year after the Kerberos mission. Shiro said he wished he knew.

He really had wished he knew.

Which was funny, really, seeing as Hiroki remembered all the memories of Shiro, during that whole year.

One day, he'd've to tell Takashi how grateful he should be to his own mind for forgetting.

Forgetting all experiments, forgetting all of Zarkon and Honerva visits, and forgetting all the blood on Shiro's hands.

On the other hand, Shiro's done good, more than Hiroki'd be able too, probably, in that year.

Prisoners that Shiro helped stealthily escape.

Somebody else might've been punished for it, by death, but no, Shiro was a precious commodity, Honerva wanted him alive.

And so...

Someday, Hiroki wants to tell the Champion everything about the Champion. The good and the bad.

Unlike Hiroki, the Champion was a hero. He helped, whenever he could, whenever there was something he could do to help. Hiroki could never do that, being what he is, and he's long ago now decided, after knowing what he is, that he'll never even try, because of course some evil clone couldn't help anyone. So Hiroki, being what he is, won't even try to help people. Alright, he'll try to help people while in Atlas, he can do that... but outside Atlas? He can't help anyone, being what he is.. He's decided that, nowadays, absolutely.

Anyway. Shiro... the Champion...

Because the Champion was a hero, even if he doesn't remember that, yes, Hiroki knows Shiro doesn't remember that, almost none of that, anymore. The hero of people who no longer expected any hero, ever.

Shiro was always a hero, Hiroki could see that, now, as an observer of memories, and how frustrating it was, sometimes, to know that Shiro thought, especially when thinking of that year, that he, Shiro, was likely a bad person back then??!

When unlike Hiroki, he wasn't, at all!

That's why-

Memories.

Hiroki has an eidetic memory. And he doesn't forget anything he sees, ever. Unless he does. But when he does, that's Honerva's fault, or the fault of the damage done to his spirit.

Usually, he has eidetic memory. Unlike Shiro.

Funny, then, discovering the holes in his memories - well, ones he didn't know he had.

Funny, also, how precise the memories - yes, all of them... even if hidden... still photographic memory, and so, when a memory comes back, of a moment, that moment is --- relived-- in full--

that's why-

Hiroki smiles weakly and shakes his head.

"Who are you now?"

The familiar stranger seems so upset, and somehow fragile, Hiroki thinks, and seems in need, he thinks.

Hiroki asks, without thinking, "And is there anything I can do to help?"

By the way, Jack really looks and sounds like Ziggy. Really. Lucifer never sounded like Ziggy. Jack does. Huh. Surely a coincident, those happen in Nexus, sometimes.

[apocalypsejack]

"Halloween Jack." He shrugs at the name. It was more or less given to him because he showed up in October with an eye patch. The name had grown on him though.

"For the memories? No, once they're gone there's no getting them back." He kicks at the ground a little with his right boot. "I've learned some thing over time. A lot of people think I don't get older and I've got a wierd jumble of skills. It's wierd when your memories are gone. I don't know I can do something until I try and then all the sudden it's like I've always known how to do it perfectly."

[apocalypsejack]

Jack stared at her for a moment and then nods. He's under the impression he's being offered a favor but he is hungry, like usual.

"Ok." He gives her a non-committal answer.

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"I see."

"That'd be a weird experience. Not knowing you can do something, and then all of a sudden, you're doing it. I guess, I'm more experienced in the other way 'round. Remembering I can do something, and then, all of a sudden, nope, turns out I've never done it, and am, as some of my friends would say, a total noob."

"Heh, it's a long story, and you wouldn't find it riveting, I bet."

"I'm Hiroki Shirogane. Nice to meet you."

Offers a handshake.

[apocalypsejack]

"Someone altered your mind?" Jack questions cautiously because he knows with some people it is a touchy subject.

Jack takes the handshake smoothly. His hands, though calloused in slightly different places, have the same smooth, cool skin and delicate bone structure of Ziggy's hands. The feeling and touch uncannily similar

[somekindofspaceuncle]

He ponders this for a moment. Well, yes, his mind was altered. Seeing as the witch transferred copied Shiro's memories into it.

"Well, yes." Hiroki whispers. "It's possible that I was a child when the alteration began. Not that I can ask anyone for confirmation, even the witch surely doesn't remember, as she doesn't care. I'm pretty sure I had never been outside a cryopod, before that. Everything was so new and strange. The air being dry was the strangest thing of all."

He shrugs a little, and gives a little smile. "Long story. I might tell you someday, if you're ever very, very bored."

He shakes Halloween Jack's hand, and that's when he can no longer deny the familiarity.

Who are you, really? he would've asked, only he doesn't, because Jack's already said he remembers nothing, and so, such a question would've been terribly unhelpful, and must stay inside.

Instead, he asks,

"Are you a human?"

[gwiazdezrzuca]

Erika smiles gently.

"Let's see, I think there are bars, and restaurants, hmm - what do you prefer? I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

[apocalypsejack]

"I've heard stories like this from kids that were vaporized a second time when they were teenagers." And Jack's right side nervous tick came back full force.

How Hiroki is looking at him feels odd, too familiar for a stranger.it leaves him wondering just how much this Ziggy person is like him.

Confusion comes with that question. "I don't know... I guess so. I'd have to be."

[apocalypsejack]

"I'll eat almost anything." He shrugs. "Food is scarce back home."

[angelic_asshole]

"I thought you'd say no to the couch. Diamond might be more agreeable though. Isn't that right, girl?"

He offered her up a few more scritches behind her ears and then a pat on the rump. Such a good dog. Balthazar was fast becoming attached to both master and beast it seemed. A smirk tugged at his lips at Jack's put-out display even though it was rather cute. The man's obvious need for attention hadn't gone amiss and the angel only lapped it up with every wanton desire the prostitute offered. Balthazar himself only fuelled that desire with his need to offer up his friendship and company to Jack.

"As for free evenings? Take your pick, love. I'm not doing anything and it's not like I've got a job or anything since I only arrived here three days ago. Or was it two? I lost track of time being thrown out of bars and getting into fights with strange alien men and women."

[apocalypsejack]

"Would you even want me out on the couch alone?" Jack gives Balthazar an almost coy glance before bending down to scratch Diamond's sides. He did adore attention, all the attention, and if it came with food, booze and good company that was all the better.

"I do work but I can make time for one of my favorites whenever you want." Jack only smiles more as they speak. "I'm not going to help you remember what day it is."

[angelic_asshole]

"If I did would you complain of being cold and alone at night? Or is it more you can't resist having a warm body to cuddle up to?"

He offered Jack a coy smirk as he then tipped his own scotch bottle up and took a good swig swallowing slowly. Oh, the things that could be said between the two men. Food, booze and company was something the angel could offer in droves. More now then ever since they were in a paradise compared to Jack's world back home.

"Perhaps I might need reminding after a good night or two."

A quick smirk and a wink from Balthazar as he licked a stray drop of whiskey from his lips.

[apocalypsejack]

"I think you like keeping me warm all night." Jack only grins more as they talk. He's trying to ignore how uncomfortable he feels without the pressure of needing to worry and watch constantly.

"You'll have no concept after I'm around for a week." Jack took another drink from his bottle and looks around. He's not relaxing here which seems strange even to him. He would have expected the lack of Big Brother to let him take a breath but instead it feels like he's knotting up inside.

"So, what's fun to do around here?"

[angelic_asshole]

Could the angel sense the slight unease radiating off the other man? Perhaps. Jack's behaviour was still evident with the way he held himself and how he perceived his surroundings. It seemed the whole part about being watched was ingrained deeply. Balthazar felt a pang of sympathy for his friend not even to be able to relax for a second.

"Well, there are nice places to go on long walks to. Parks, open spaces and many shops to peruse. There's a place called the Viper's Pit where you can throw darts or knives for entertainment. A workshop where you can watch this eccentric tech sort of guy build stuff. Also, a popsicle shop I do believe."

There was a lot to do it seemed.

"I tend to enjoy relaxing at the top of my apartment with a bottle or three of scotch passing the time of day."

[apocalypsejack]

"I'm up for anything." Which was probably true of more than just finding something to entertain them for the day. That charming smirk turns to a laugh ad the angel goes on listing places. "There is a temptation to watching your face while I eat a popsicle."

The teasing is never ending but it is also done with great affection for his newest friend. "No wonder we get along. I spend days drinking on top of buildings too."

[angelic_asshole]

"How did I know you wanted to tease me with a popsicle? I should have guessed."

That got a low chuckle from the angel as he took another large gulp of his drink enjoying the familiar burn coat his throat on the way down. There was only one way it could go if Jack did indeed purchase a popsicle in front of the angel. All the way down with no stopping.

"It's such a tension reliever. Seriously. Just being at the top watching what's going on down here on the Plaza. Sometimes you see the most extraordinary things."

[apocalypsejack]

"I know what you like." Jack's broad grin is interrupted by biting his own lip and showing off his fangs.

"Back home it's safer to be on the roofs." He shrugs. "There's a lot of corpses and disease on the ground."

[sweetcandygirl]

It doesn't take long to lead the way to the Viper's Pit. And Harley beams with joy as they enter. It is just the kind of place she loves to be. Lots of people. Booze available. And of course, a few posters that promotes the different events hosted, including her own aerial performances. She is like a butterfly, floating around and chatting with people before she makes it to a seat.

"What will you have?"

it's weekend already for me, and I think I might be in a mood for a tag or two, heh

[somekindofspaceuncle]

"That's- I'm not sure exactly what you mean, Jack, but, thing is, I'm not-"

He shakes his head.

"Okay, I am a 100% human, but I'm not quite normal. I'm a clone. So, the idiosyncrasies in my earliest life - yep. You can can how they might arise."

"Let's just go to that bar. And it's all gonna be on me, no worries, Pri-"

Oh. What is he thinking? Apparently nothing much, or he'd be more focused and remember that Jack is not Ziggy!

But wait, could Jack be-- no. Ridiculous!

"No worries, Jack."

[apocalypsejack]

"They rewrite a new personality in people." Jack says matter of fact. "If you do it too much the mind just ..I guess stops having a personality. It's what vaporization is putting new memories and personalities in people."

"If the Ministry had clones I wouldn't know if I was one." Jack sighs and the trembling is still obvious on his right side. "I don't remember anything before a few years ago."

Jack lights up a little at the idea of a drink. "Sure. I can get the drinks. I've got ways."

He garbs on to Hiroki's upper arm to encourage him to follow Jack to the nearest thing that looks like a bar.